School renovation will claim historic Groveland building

TAVARES -- The Lake County School Board decided Monday night to move forward with a plan to rebuild Gray Middle School in Groveland -- a plan that includes tearing down a historic building that a number of city officials and residents had fought to keep. After a lengthy discussion, the board decided it would cost too much money -- several million dollars -- to change their plans to accommodate recent concerns. It also would cause a major delay. School Board member Cindy Barrow said renovations need to be done as soon as possible because the poor condition of the aging campus is "embarrassing." "For those of you who have not walked through that campus, it is an eyesore," she said. Schools Superintendent Susan Moxley said, however, that she will work with district officials to investigate the traffic problems that the Groveland police chief said will be made worse if the bus loop is moved as part of the renovation.